The NFL never sleeps and although some of us are still processing the end of the 2022-2023 season, the offseason is already in full-go mode. Tuesday marks an important date for the Dallas Cowboys as the window to franchise tag players officially opens league-wide.

And it turns out the Cowboys have two players they could consider tagging: TE Dalton Schultz and RB Tony Pollard.

For context, these are the prices each one would require. Keep in mind, the Cowboys can only franchise tag one player:

• Tight end: $13.12M (20% higher than last year's tag for Schultz)
• Running back: $10.09M

How the front office approaches this decision will be highly intriguing. On one side, you've got a player who already played under the tag in Shultz. But the tight end's production lowered in 2022. He caught 57 passes for 577 yards and five touchdowns last season following a 78-808-8 season.

Even if part of it had to do with injuries, questions about him being a player who dictates coverage like the top tight ends in the league remain.

The Cowboys have always been ambiguous about their long-term expectations with Schultz and the relationship between the two could be reaching an end if he isn't tagged again.

His performance in the playoffs, which included three touchdowns, was a reminder of what he can be for the offense, though. A reliable pair of hands and one of the most successful red zone players the Cowboys have had recently.

Meanwhile, Pollard seemed like a no-brainer prior to a fibula fracture that will knock him out for months. The running back proved he's an explosive weapon and was clearly the best player at the position in Dallas.

Does the injury change any of that?

The Cowboys will have to make the money work with Ezekiel Elliott (whether it's through a release or a pay cut) but they're likely interested in keeping Pollard for one more year, at least.

Salary cap analyst predicts who the Cowboys will pick

"Pollard has been the best running back on the Dallas roster for a few seasons now, so to see his rookie contract expire with such a devastating injury is extremely unfortunate," writes Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac.

"Pollard's recovery time is right around the draft, so he should be available for the majority of offseason workouts. Placing a 1-year guarantee on him seems the right move – regardless of the Cowboys' plans for Zeke Elliott this March."

Ginnitti is in line with the consensus.

If things play out this way, Schultz is expected to become a free agent. The open market can raise the price tag of any free agent but if the league has an unenthusiastic response to the tight end's availability, perhaps the Cowboys can give him a call for an immediate reunion.

These two players will be only a small part of the Cowboys' offseason. They have to worry about many other names set to hit the market like Leighton Vander Esch, Donovan Wilson, Anthony Barr, Anthony Brown, and Connor McGovern.

On top of that, contract extensions for CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs are looming on the horizon and should already be in consideration.

Featured image via Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports